In 1968, a young man named Robert Holland graduated from East Longmeadow High School. He went on to Westfield State and then entered the field of radio locally at WHYN and WSPR. Known professionally as Holland Cooke, he established himself as a big time player in the radio industry as an air personality and program director at major stations on the East Coast and eventually became an influential national consultant. This past year, he entered a new phase in his career as the host of a weekend TV talk show called “The Big Picture” on the RT America Network. Several weeks ago, the ELHS class of 68 held its 50th reunion which Holland – now a resident of Rhode Island – enthusiastically attended. Michael Harrison caught up with him for this exclusive Pioneer Valley Radio interview.

Pioneer Valley Radio’s Brad Shepard wrapped up his summer concert schedule with a “bang” in West Springfield, at the Morgan Road Pavilion, with a solid 90 minutes of Broadway and Pop favorites. From Sinatra to Frankie Valli, and “Man of La Mancha” to “Chicago,” Brad performed for a crowd of more than 150. With venerable musician Richie Mitnick at the keyboard, Brad has been singing in Western Mass. for 15 years. He has also been on the air with two dominant local radio stations, and now the present “hyper-local” Pioneer Valley Radio, for a total of 25 years.

For over a decade, Springfield, MA-based online media station, Pioneer Valley Radio’s morning host and general manager Brad Shepard has been the master of ceremonies/announcer from the reviewing stand for the East Longmeadow Fourth of July Parade. This parade has become the signature Fourth of July Parade for the entire region featuring the participation of most of its cities and towns. Shepard says, “I’ve just realized that I‘ve been doing this long enough – first as morning man on WHYN radio and now as a personality with Pioneer Valley Radio – to be able to recognize folks marching in the parade and to do first name ‘shout outs’ from the stage! It’s tremendously gratifying to hear them returned!” The excessive 94 degree heat did not deter thousands of all ages from coming out and lining the parade route and cheering on many service organizations, groups and dignitaries in Western Massachusetts. “I look forward to this every year; it’s an honor to be their choice and it is a fantastic community-connection for our exciting 21st century platform.” (Pictures: Brad Shepard at the mic on the reviewing stand.)

Four Springfield City Council members just returned from a two-day fact-finding mission to Denver, CO to gain information and insight into how the Council can best regulate future recreational marijuana business in the city. Michael Harrison interviews Councilor Kateri Walsh about the trip. Pictured at the Native Roots marijuana production facility (l-r) in Denver: Councilors Adam Gomez, Justin Hurst, Kateri Walsh, and Council President Orlando Ramos.

It was a scene out of “Friday Night Lights” as hyper-local Pioneer Valley Radio (www.PioneerValleyRadio.com), serving Springfield and its surrounding communities in Western Massachusetts, launched its new sports department with live play-by-play coverage of high school football games. Pictured in the press box calling the PBP between the home team Longmeadow High School “Lancers” and visiting Chicopee Comprehensive High School “Colts” is Pioneer Valley Radio sports director Kevin Casey (c) joined by color callers Eddie Garibian (l), a Longmeadow senior, and Graham Topor (r), a Chicopee Comp junior.

Pioneer Valley Radio was launched in 2015 by local resident Michael Harrison and former WHYN, Springfield morning personality Brad Shepard as an experiment in local “personality-oriented, hyper-local public affairs radio.” Since then it has gained tremendous traction and become what Shepard describes as “an important local media platform that is making a difference.” The expressly non-partisan station has expanded its menu to include a wide variety of programs covering local politics, civics, business, education, public health and safety, arts and entertainment and now, sports. According to Casey, “One of the most satisfying aspects of this project is giving local high school students the opportunity to sit in the broadcast press box and call color on the radio. These two great kids, Eddie and Graham, were fantastic! We plan to expand our coverage beyond football to include basketball and other sports and get lots of kids from area schools involved in our broadcasts.” The next scheduled football game to be covered is the annual Thanksgiving classic between Longmeadow and East Longmeadow on Thanksgiving morning. All Pioneer Valley Radio live broadcasts are powered by Boston-based Backbone Networks. Schools interested in having their games broadcast and businesses interested in sponsoring these broadcasts should contact Michael Harrison at michael@talkers.com.

Writer Becky Jones has been a participant in a peer-run writing group for 25 years and has been leading a niche writing group for nearly 15 years – the subject, bereavement. Her 18 years as a chaplain at Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton have certainly served her well in this particular genre. Becky is here today to talk about the making of a writers’ group and what has contributed to the lasting power of hers.

In the Western Mass. world of restaurants, the Center Square Grill in East Longmeadow can only be regarded as a “hit!” Owner-operator Bill Collins joins Brad in a conversation about this most challenging business and how success may be created!

In an exclusive conversation with Brad Shepard, newly-minted Sheriff of Hampden County Nick Cocchi reflects on his first days in office; his plans, challenges and position on issues inside and outside of prison walls.

From the opioid epidemic to the politics of corrections in Western Mass., here is Sheriff Cocchi at his most candid.